60 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



is meant turning the plant round occasionally, so that 

 every side will have its share of the sunshine. If this is not 

 done, the plant, in its endeavors to reach the sunlight, will 

 become "drawn," or misshapen. It may perhaps produce as 

 many flowers, but they are not alone sufficient. Handsome, 

 well-shaped plants, properly balanced, and presenting 

 beautiful forms as well as colors, are what we wish. Just 

 how often to turn a plant, each one must learn for herself 

 by experiment. 



POT-BOUND PLANTS. 



All plants growing in flower-pots eventually become 

 pot-bound ; " that is, the roots fill the pot, twisting 

 around the sides and ramifying through the soil till but 

 little appears to be left, and the pot becomes full of roots 

 instead. If the plant is turned out of the pot, and vigorously 

 shaken, it will bevfound that one-half of the soil has been 

 destroyed, eaten up, — and its place occupied by a tangled 

 and knotty mass of roots. Having thus reached the limit 

 of its supplies, it sends out its roots beyond their confined 

 quarters in search of fresh food. They overflow the edge 

 of the pot, or creep through the drainage hole in the bottom. 

 If no more food can be found, — if the exploring and venture- 

 some roots meet a cold and barren reception, — they stop and 

 go no farther. The plant then seems in a blind and vague 

 way to conclude that its end is near. It therefore follows 

 the one great instinct of all life, — reproduction, — puts 

 forth its flowers, perfects its seeds, and then dies. 



